Talked to the vet, she said it's most likely an upper respitory infection.  The appointment is at 2.  Even though I have the budgies in the back bedroom, I can't help but fear for the health of my own birds.  Aaaah!  What have I done saying I'd bird-sit!!!!!!

Tiva,  What was the outcome of the vet visit?  I wonder if the wall crash damaged his eyes?

Sorry I missed seeing this message this morning.  Hope he can be helped and will be OK .

Annie

Your so smart!  That's exactly what it was.  He has some swelling in his head and it's compressing nerves that help him see.  She was actually glad to hear he had an accident, because otherwise she would have suspected a brain tumor with the way his pupils were so dialated.  He's on an anti inflamitory to help the swelling go down and hopefully he'll recover fully. 

 

If you don't remember, Blue Meanie and Dodger were my birds.  My dad moved in with us for a while, fell in love with them, and took them when he moved out.  I remember exactly WHY I named that little bugger Blue Meanie.  WOOOO he has a bite unlike any of my other birds!  I can barely hold onto him giving him the meds.  He wriggles right out of the wash cloth!  I think I'm gonna try gloves next time.  I don't know if I can take another bite like that! HAHAHA!  He gets a tiny hunk of skin and WON'T let go!  Then he grinds his little beak until he breaks skin and continues!

Well, I am glad you found out what it is so you don't have to worry yourself sick that your birds will "catch" it.

Try picking him up barehanded, with your index and middle finger on either side of his neck. Then curl your thumb and other fingers over his tummy, but don't squeeze.  Usually little birds can't get out of that grip and if you're quick enough, they can't bite.

I remembered the story about your Dad taking them home with him.

Hope Meanie gets well soon.

Annie

It is.

I think I need to go for the brand name band aids since these Army-man ones aren't staying on at all.

Well my fingers are healing since I found an old pair of nylon driving gloves in my closet....whew.  Blue Meanie actually looks really good, I think he's going to be okay as far as the pressure in his eyes.  I'm not so sure he'll see well again though.   His little eyes aren't drooping or bugging out any more (as much) but he still doesn't see me coming when I go to catch him.  Can a person keep a blind budgie as a pet?  He seems to get around the cage okay, still eating and drinking.  He also still seems to interact with Dodger okay, I guess we'll ride it out and see how it goes.  Thanks for asking.  And thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions

Tiva, I have read about several blind pet birds.  They seem to do well, but they surely can't be allowed to fly any more. As long as they can find food and water, there doesn't seem to be a huge problem. Can't get new cages, I would think.

Glad he's doing so well.  Maybe his vision will come back at least enough to see light and dark and shadows.

Annie

I am so incredibly saddend by poor Meanie!  His swelling has gone down a ton, and his eyes are looking more and more normal every day.  The antinflamatory is obviously doing it's job.  POOOOOOOOOR Meanie still can't seeeeeeee!  It's the saddest thing I've ever seen.  He clings to the side of the cage to sleep now rather than perching.  I imagine he feels more secure that way, more grounded I guess.  Any time anything moves near him he puts his head back (in a sad attempt to be intimidating) and he does the mad-Budgie scream over and over until he feels safe again.  Of COURSE koi won't leave him alone!  She keeps going over and climbing all over their cage.  Although it's fine, most the time, every now and then she scares Meanie and he lets the whole house know it.  I've put her back on her stand a million times and she sneaks back over.  I guess I'm gonna have to lock her up and listen to her scream instead....I was trying to avoid that.   Anyways, I'm just feeling really bad for this poor little guy.  I think of all the outside birds that have hit our windows over the years, some flew off after a few minutes, and some died in my hands.  I wonder if any ended up blind.

Poor little fella.  Maybe one of those wire corner perches would make him feel more secure. He could sit on it and hold onto the side bars.

Maybe put a towel over his cage so Koi can't scare him so badly.  Padding, you know?

This is awful.  Hurts to watch sick pets.

Hope his vision returns.

Annie

Thanks Annie,

I have the back part of the cage covered and I locked Koi in her cage for the rest of the afternoon.  She only screamed a little, then was happy with some green beans and chard.  She's very food-oriented.  I won't be surprised if she ends up overweight before my dad comes back and takes the budgies home hahahaha!  I've been using food A LOT to keep her away from them.   She even got a piece of egg roll today which would normally be a no-no for her.

 

Meanie's swelling is constantly improving.....I didn't realize it was THIS bad until it started going down.